The Help

Drama and Laughter Mix Superbly In The Help
The Help, PG-13, *****, Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Allison Janney, Sissy Spacek. Touchstone film.Director Tate Taylor. 146 minutes.

“The Help” is based on the fictional book that delivers 146 minutes of a blast from the past, laughter, and heartbreaking truths. The film takes place in Jackson, Mississippi during the early 60’s, and portions of the 50’s that conveys a sad perspective of the elitist class and their prejudice views toward Africa-Americans.
It is a time when some women have the freedom to be stay at home moms. As if this is not freedom enough, they employ African-American maids to clean house, cook, and take care of their young. Sadly the maids are not paid very much for their services and dedication. To add to this atrocity, the maids are treated as second class citizens. Racism is prevalent among the characters in this excellent film.
Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone) has just returned to her home town of Jackson after completing a degree at Ole Miss. Taking a job at the local newspaper as a columnist, she begins to look at the discrimination within the community.
While she has been away at college, Constantine (Cicely Tyson) her nanny is no longer with the family. Constantine was like a mother to Skeeter. She taught Skeeter about life and empathy. Giving her positive reinforcement by telling her she is kind, smart, and important. Charlotte (Allison Janney) is Skeeter’s mother, and she will not tell Skeeter why Constantine is no longer with the family. This is a key issue in the film.
It is a blessing that Constantine was there for Skeeter in her formative years, because Skeeter brings out the best in others through a compassionate and caring attitude. That is if the person has not developed a hard heart within.
The audience meets several women in the movie who have maids to take care of their young, clean house, and cook for the family. We have all met these individuals who are prejudice and arrogant. They shout orders like an army general looking down on others and degrading them.
Skeeter decides to do something about the mistreatment taking place in her community. Aibileen ((Viola Davis) and Minny (Octavia Spencer) reluctantly agree to speak with Skeeter about their lives as maids. They talk about the heartbreaks of the job, and what they have to endure for the small amount of money they receive. Skeeter is going to write a book about the lives of maids and the degrading they must tolerate. They know this will create a scandal in the community. However, Skeeter is not going to use the name of the town or identify anyone for fear of repercussions that could take place when the book is published.
When the book debuts, the guilty realize what has happened. No one wants to admit to their prejudices and abuse toward the maids. However, one incident in particular just might keep the high society quiet.
“The Help” captures the realism and sadness of the early 1960’s. The film is based on a book by Kathryn Stockett by the same name. I viewed the movie with a full house on a Saturday afternoon.
The laughter roared in the theater at some of the dialogue while I heard sniffles across the auditorium at other times. It is an entertaining and heartwarming film giving all of us a look at a sad time in our history that was changed by a few individuals who dared to stand up for what is right.
We must speak up with courage in order to right wrongs.